Menokreatikkul; Saturday Stitches

I mentioned that I had crocheted a jumper for Mac1... it was a very quick make. I had a stock of Squirrel 95% Alpaca 5% Polyester, and an accent colour in Drops Alpaca 100%. It was just enough to create this "Huggable"... that type of open-fronted, drop-shoulder, back-hugging thing that is quite popular. I prayed that I had the sizing correct... and it fitted perfectly!

It was well received! As was the mohair muffler, and the funny wee beanie I knitted with that darker jade colour. 

Despite having other projects started as per last week's post, I took myself off with a pair of knitting pins and had a go at one of those mini scarves that are so much the rage these days...

I know there are patterns out there, but me being the YAMster, I just set off on my own sweet stitchery... how hard could an increase/decrease garter stitch thing be? I added complexity with all that colour change. It is not perfect, of course, but I was well pleased with it. ... and, naturally, I wondered if I could turn one out in crochet too... Let me tell you, this is a case of be careful what you choose, yarn-ways. The yarns used up for that first attempt were from the cotton stash. It knitted reasonably well. The mercerised/pearlised hank I decided to have a go with for the crochet attempt turned out to be a b****r of a thing: I may have used too small a hook, I may have opted for the wrong stitchery... I stuck with it, and Mac1 was happy to have the thing. I will try again with a different yarn altogether. There will be other knitted ones, too, but something other than garter stitch maybe... and I may have a go at one in Tunisian style. Stay tuned!

Menoturals; Cattle Crew

...and they're back! Continuing to share with the LLB gang's Nature Friday, the photos and a bit of info on cattle seen at the Westmoreland Show last September.

Today, I bring you the British Longhorn.

Now, I know that a lot of you over in the yooo ess of eh will immediately be thinking of your own longhorn cattle, but the Texas Longhorn is of a different lineage altogether. 

These cattle are easily recognised from other horned cattle by their white spinal colouring, the one constant in otherwise varied coat colours. The white is also seen on the underside. In earlier times, they served as draught cattle as well as for both meat and milk production. As with so many breeds, the current 'standard' was only started to be formalised in the mid-eighteenth century. The focus tended to be on beef growth, but as the milk of these cattle is also highly prized for butter making, there is a strong dairy strain in the breed, too.

Despite their appearance, these are considered to be among the more docile cattle for handling, though, of course, one must always be respectful of them, for they are also among the largest and heaviest! 

I mentioned the milk quality - these are also known as good mothers, and it was with sheer delight that I was able to witness a suckling calf... Nothing screams nature more than the mum-and-bub cycle of life...

Menokreatikkul With A Side Of Art Vibe

Mac1 is with me this week... Winter Olympics, lots of chinwag, arty-craftying, eating...

I've mentioned having this app on the phone before. I love it. As there is nothing else to reportat this time, here's a display...